AM Best Assigns Issue Credit Rating to Athene Holding Ltd.’s New Preferred Stock

Rhea-AI Summary

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of “bb+” to Athene Holding Ltd.'s $575 million, 4.875%, perpetual, non-cumulative preferred stock. The outlook is positive. Proceeds will support general corporate needs, including investment opportunities and growth. The proforma financial leverage and interest coverage metrics are at appropriate levels. Additionally, Athene's Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” and its existing ratings have been affirmed with positive outlooks, unchanged from May 2020.

Positive

• Assigned Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of 'bb+' indicates favorable outlook.
• Proceeds will support corporate growth and investment opportunities.
• Proforma financial leverage and interest coverage metrics are appropriate.
• Existing Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of 'bbb' affirmed with positive outlook.

Negative

• None.

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating (Long-Term IR) of “bb+” to the $575 million, 4.875%, perpetual, non-cumulative preferred stock issued by Athene Holding Ltd. (Athene) (Bermuda) [NYSE:ATH]. The outlook assigned to this Credit Rating (rating) is positive.

Athene intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including support of investment opportunities, inorganic growth and organic and its commitment to the Athene Co-Invest Reinsurance Affiliate, 1A Ltd.

AM Best notes that proforma financial leverage and interest coverage metrics remain at appropriate levels.

Athene’s Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bbb”, its existing Long-Term IRs and the Long-Term ICRs of its operating insurance subsidiaries were affirmed with positive outlooks on May 22, 2020 (see related press release), and remain unchanged following this issuance of the preferred shares.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201218005572/en/

FAQ

What is the credit rating assigned to Athene Holding Ltd. by AM Best?

AM Best assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of 'bb+' to Athene Holding Ltd.'s preferred stock.

How much preferred stock has Athene issued?

Athene Holding Ltd. has issued $575 million of preferred stock.

What is the purpose of the proceeds from Athene's preferred stock issuance?

The proceeds are intended for general corporate purposes, including investment opportunities and growth.

What is the outlook of Athene's credit rating?

The outlook assigned to Athene's Long-Term Issue Credit Rating is positive.

What does Athene's Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating stand at?

Athene's Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating is affirmed at 'bbb' with a positive outlook.